Long Night Moon written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Siegel
Picture book about the moon published by Simon and Schuster
Simply told and beautifully illustrated, Long Night Moon
A lovely bedtime story, it would be great to connect this picture book with a nighttime walk out of doors.
Recommended for children aged 3 – 6.
Note: for older children, Rylant’s use of personification could be examined.
Scholastic’s lesson plan for this picture book
Home School Share for this picture book
, Henry seeks help from Mr. McCarthy but his teacher is busy with other playground problems and does not help the grade one children. Soon, Henry feels terrible and thinks he is too sick to go to school.
with children every summer. I use it as part of a frog theme in a kindergarten program but the story goes well beyond frogs and pond life. It is a joyous celebration of self acceptance, finding one’s voice and making a difference. 
is a warmly illustrated, reassuring bedtime story.
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is a fun take on a familiar story. Children will enjoy comparing this with other versions of The Princess and the Pea. Also fun for penguin theme.
is one of my all-time favourite picture books. When Mr. Magee and his small dog begin their camping trip, they have no inkling that a near-sighted, marshmallow-fancying bear will soon have them staring down a fifty foot waterfall. 
, Sam is front and centre as he begins his day. As always, Ms. Gay’s depiction of the siblings’ relationship is tender and sweet – Sam strives for independence until he needs his big sister’s help. Simply illustrated and told, this story will captivate young children and their families. 
provides a great introduction to the idea of helping the earth. Whether reminding youngsters to recycle, turn off the water when brushing their teeth, use a lunch box and draw on both sides of the paper or encouraging children to help in the garden, the message is simple, positive and clear. 
great fun to browse. Useful as a classroom resource (check out ‘Finger Paints’ and ‘Sorting Out the Kitchen Pans’) or as a playful alternative to bedtime stories. Have fun!
written by Lara Bergen and illustrated by Betsy Snyder has an upbeat, positive message for very young children: what looks like garbage may be recyclable. Discarded paper, plastic, metal and glass all belong in a recycling bin, an empty jam jar can be transformed into a vase and a plastic milk jug can become a bird feeder. Additional flaps reveal homemade musical instruments, costumes and a car made from a cardboard box.
, Ms. Frazee’s illustrations capture the riders’ emotions with great humor. We can’t help but reminisce about our last trip on a roller coaster – and look forward to our next! Wheeeeeee! 
is a book that can be enjoyed on many levels. Best suited to children five and up.
celebrates make believe and play and will be enjoyed by children aged 4 to 8.
Cornelia collected hearts of all different shapes and sizes and then set to work making Valentines for her special friends. Before setting to work, she thinks carefully about each individual and she creates cards and gifts that suit each perfectly.
begins when Sam asks Stella about fairies. Stella knows just where to find some. She leads Sam on a pleasant walk through gorgeous meadows, across a sparkling stream and into a magical forest.
is richly illustrated and simply told. It will be a lovely accompaniment for your springtime seed planting and gardening activities.
features a positive message about bedtime stories and offers a great opportunity for children to propose their own creative solutions to the flooding problem.
invites readers to observe as spring arrives, the earth is awakened and a mother bear stretches with her young cub. We watch the snow melt and the two bears frolic in the sunshine and warm breeze. Before long it is summertime; butterflies, salmon, thunderstorms and starry nights change the natural landscape once again. When leaves begin to change and blueberries ripen, the two bears know it is time to prepare for winter. A lovely, gentle circular story about the changing seasons and our beautiful earth.
